April 2018 Vol. 24, 4
Board members attend 2018 Legislative Action Day
Board members descend on Capitol to advocate for key issues including pursuing Full and Fair Funding, raising the LCFF base grant targets, releasing facilities bond money, providing natural disaster relief, increasing local control over 11th-grade assessments and implementing measures to address the teacher shortage.
A stormy day on Tuesday, March 13, didn’t stop CSBA members from across the state from convening at the Capitol for Legislative Action Day. More than 200 school board members held 103 meetings with Senators and Assemblymembers to advocate for the Full and Fair Funding of California’s public schools, urge the expedited release of Proposition 51 school facilities bonds, discuss the pension crisis and inform their legislators about CSBA’s sponsored bills.

Districts large and small cited the full and fair funding of public schools as the number one issue on their docket. “Our top priority today is to speak with our legislators about the effects of the budget and the issues it creates for our children,” said Ann Phillips, a trustee from the Lawndale Elementary School District. “The lack of funding is a huge issue. We are fighting for every nickel we can get.”

What’sInside
OntheWeb
csba.org/Newsroom:
  • Visit www.csba.org/Newsroom for links to digital versions of current and past issues of California School News.
professional development
Ed Tech leaders to highlight CSBA’s July Leadership Institute
Code.org CEO Hadi Partovi and Google Vice President of Education and University Programs Maggie Johnson are among the top executives and leadership experts that will highlight CSBA’s 2018 Leadership Institute. The 2018 Leadership Institute will take place July 13–14 at the Palace Hotel in San Francisco.
This year, the theme for the two-day event is “The Science of Leading Students to STEM Success” and is designed to provide governing board members with leadership skills training and the tools and resources needed to support STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) growth in schools. The event will include several speakers from STEM-based organizations, and state and national organizations who will share their unique perspectives on leadership strategies and trends in the STEM arena.

Partovi, Code.org’s CEO, is best known for starting the internationally recognized “Hour of Code” movement. Under his leadership more than 100 million students from around the world have become familiar with basic coding, resulting in schools around the globe establishing computer science classes. In the United States, 25 percent of students have been reached. Code.org’s mission is to expand access to computer science in all schools and increase participation by women and underrepresented minorities. Look for an in-depth interview with Partovi about his views on computer science education in the spring issue of California Schools magazine.

staff
Senior Director of Communications:
Troy Flint | tflint@csba.org

Managing Editor:
Kimberly Sellery | ksellery@csba.org

Marketing Director:

Serina Pruitt | spruitt@csba.org

Staff Writers and Contributors:
Hugh Biggar | hbiggar@csba.org
Aaron Davis | adavis@csba.org
Mike Ambrose | mambrose@csba.org
Andrew Cummins | acummins@csba.org

Graphic Design Manager:
Kerry Macklin | kmacklin@csba.org

Senior Graphic Designer:

Carmen Rodriguez | crodriguez@csba.org

officers
President:
Mike Walsh | Butte COE

President-elect:
Emma Turner | La Mesa-Spring Valley SD

Vice President:
Xilonin Cruz-Gonzalez | Azusa USD

Immediate Past President:
Susan Henry | Huntington Beach Union HSD

CEO & Executive Director:
Vernon M. Billy

The California School Boards Association is the essential voice for public education. We inspire our members to be knowledgeable leaders, extraordinary governance practitioners and ardent advocates for all students.
California School News (ISSN 1091-1715) is published 11 times per year by the California School Boards Association, Inc., 3251 Beacon Blvd., West Sacramento, CA 95691. 916-371-4691. $4 of CSBA annual membership dues is for the subscription to California School News. The subscription rate for each CSBA nonmember is $35. Periodicals postage paid at West Sacramento, CA and at additional mailing office. POSTMASTER:
Send address changes to California School News, 3251 Beacon Blvd., West Sacramento, CA 95691.

News and feature items submitted for publication are edited for style and space as necessary.

leadership
President’s Message: Mike Walsh
The time for Full and Fair Funding is now
I’m sitting at my desk writing this article one week after what many have described as one of the best organized and most impactful Legislative Action Days that CSBA has hosted so far. One person described it by stating that they “had a feeling that their advocacy really made a difference.” Out of 116 current legislators, 104 legislators held a meeting with at least one CSBA member. That alone is a powerful statement on CSBA’s progress toward our goal of being the essential voice of public education in California.

What I believe made the day the most powerful was the unified message we presented — one that any legislator would be hard-pressed to truthfully deny. That critical message is that our state legislature needs to take action towards Full and Fair Funding. Full and fair funding means that funding has to meet the needs of counties and districts, not just meet the minimum requirement of their obligations. This past January, as the Governor unveiled his final budget proposal, he made it very clear that he was proud of his efforts to meet the funding targets for education and the Local Control Funding Formula. While I absolutely appreciate the Governor’s efforts to bring funding back to pre-recession levels when adjusted for inflation, this is no time for board members to rest or celebrate.

governance
Masters in Governance February graduates
  • Kay Coskey, Burlingame ESD
  • William Jager, Fruitvale ESD
  • Sophia Kao, Saratoga Union ESD
  • Sharan Kaur, New Haven USD
  • Stephanie Kent, Rescue Union ESD
  • Clayton Koo, Delegate, Region 5B, Jefferson ESD
  • Lange Luntao, Stockton USD
  • Celeste Monnette, Benicia USD
  • Gary Munoz, Los Banos USD
  • Bethany Smith, Fairfield-Suisun USD
  • Marilyn Stewart, San Lorenzo USD
  • Deborah Tracy-Proulx, Delegate, Region 9A, Santa Cruz City Schools
  • Florence Wong, Board President, Burlingame ESD
CSBA is proud to recognize our Masters in Governance graduates and salute their exceptional commitment to professional development in the service of students! MIG completion signifies mastery of the roles and responsibilities of school boards and a strong understanding of the knowledge and skills needed to build and support an effective governance structure that helps produce better outcomes for students.

Since its inception in 1998, more than 3,000 board members and superintendents have participated in the highly acclaimed certification program. To receive the Masters in Governance certificate, candidates must complete 35 hours of intensive training on the role of the governance team in setting the direction of the district, student learning and achievement, school finance, human resources, policy and judicial review, collective bargaining, and community relations and advocacy.

“This certificate symbolizes deep commitment to professional development in the service of public school students,” said CSBA President and MIG graduate Mike Walsh. “The Masters in Governance program provides education leaders with the knowledge and tools needed to govern effectively. The skills acquired through MIG are critically important as board members and superintendents navigate the increasingly complex landscape of public education. I applaud these graduates for modeling the virtue of continuing education and for refining the practices needed to strengthen schools and support student growth and achievement.”

GovernanceCorner Practical tips from our MIG faculty
Adopting instructional materials
The adoption of instructional materials in a district is arguably one of the most critical board actions related to student achievement. It clearly exemplifies the relationship between how decisions made in the board room impact the classroom.

Additionally, depending on the subject area, it can also be fertile ground for robust board conversation and community input. CSBA Sample Board Policy 6161 provides guidance on this topic and process. Boards should consider the following questions to ensure that the process of materials selection and evaluation reflects the interests of the community as a whole — a vital step on the road to materials adoption.

  • Do we have a sufficient level of diversity and representation on our advisory committee?
  • Did the pilot process adequately represent the range of schools that would be impacted? Did the process gather input from teachers, students and parents?
  • What did the students who will be impacted say about the materials?
  • What were the comments from the teachers who were asked to pilot the materials?
  • Based on the pilot experience, what types of teacher support will be required to successfully implement the instructional materials? What strengths and challenges can be anticipated?
  • How is the plan for implementation supported by current district technology infrastructure? How is it aligned with plans for future technology needs,
    and professional development and support for teachers?
  • What is the ultimate recommendation of the advisory committee?

legislative

CSBA sponsoring 2018 bills to increase LCFF funding, bolster college attendance
CSBA has signed on as a co-sponsor of three K-12 education bills — two of which are authored by former governing board members.
Assembly Bill 2808
AB 2808, authored by former Torrance Unified School District board member Al Muratsuchi (D-Torrance), would identify anticipated growth in the Proposition 98 guarantee and direct it toward the Local Control Funding Formula with the intent of moving California toward the national average of $12,526 in per-pupil funding. This same mechanism was employed when LCFF was first adopted in 2013.

“CSBA is very excited to co-sponsor this bill, and we certainly appreciate Assemblymember Muratsuchi’s leadership on bringing a much-needed increase to LCFF targets,” said CSBA President Mike Walsh. “This bill is an important step in moving California toward the national average in per-pupil funding and aligns with CSBA’s ultimate goal of full and fair funding for education.”

state board
State Board continues to work on federal compliance plan
California’s ongoing efforts to meet federal Every Student Succeeds Act requirements took center stage at the March State Board of Education meeting. Facing a fall deadline for an approved ESSA state plan, State Board members accepted the recommendation of CSBA and other stakeholders and voted to postpone the decision until a special meeting in the month of April.
CSBA advocated for the delay in order to allow a thorough review of the ESSA plan, particularly where the recently modified Title I elements are concerned. Significant Title I federal funding is attached to ESSA compliance — about $3 billion in grants, including money for principal and teacher training and funds for English learners, migrant and homeless children. In addition, changes to Title I could impact the development of a “single federal, state and local accountability plan,” which is a long-held goal of the State Board.
Nominations open for 2019 CSBA Officers
President-elect and vice president nominations accepted through Friday, June 1
The CSBA Nominating Committee encourages CSBA members to participate in this year’s election process for the offices of CSBA vice president and president-elect. The 2018 criteria used to evaluate potential officer candidates is as follows:

A CSBA Leader:

  • Communicates effectively on behalf of public education and advocates CSBA’s vision, mission and governance structure.
  • Understands, articulates and influences the legislature’s impact on public education.
  • Advocates for the diverse needs of all students throughout the State.
  • Engages and strengthens the power and voices of local governance teams.
  • Demonstrates high standards of ethics and integrity.
  • Leads successfully in the face of change.
  • Provides evidence of leadership skills to lead with experience, knowledge and innovation.
  • Commits the time, attention and energy necessary to serve as a CSBA officer.

Potential candidates must:

  • Serve on a school district or county board that is a member of CSBA.
  • Have completed two years as a member of the Delegate Assembly and four years as a board member on a member board.
  • Submit a minimum of three (3) Nomination Forms for 2019 CSBA Officers. Nominations may be made by either a school or county board that is a member of CSBA, or by an individual member of a CSBA member board.

Nomination forms must be received by CSBA no later than Friday, June 1.

Those candidates who have received three (3) separate nomination forms will have until Monday, July 9, to submit a formal Declaration of Candidacy packet. Interviews are scheduled for Saturday, September, 15, 2018. The Delegate Assembly will elect the officers at its meeting in San Francisco on November 29.

Nomination forms and additional information about the nomination process are available on CSBA’s website. Please visit: www.csba.org/OfficerElections.
county boards
California County Boards of Education
County Perspective
Bruce Dennis, CCBE President, Riverside COE Board Member
I have been asked what will be the main thrust for my year as the California County Boards of Education’s president, and the answer is simple: Advocacy. I am a firm believer in board member advocacy and in the difference an individual can make.

The following excerpt, from CSBA’s GAMUT Board Policy 9000, is probably found in some form or another in all of your board policies: “Provide community leadership on educational issues and advocate on behalf of students and public education at the local, state and federal levels.” Maximizing the potential impact of your position as a board member requires you to advocate on behalf of all the students you represent — this is true within your counties, in Sacramento and in Washington, D.C.

The role of county boards of education
Quick facts about county boards of education
  • California has 58 county offices of education; each is governed by a county board
  • 334 county board members are elected; seven are appointed
  • 53 county superintendents are elected; five are appointed
  • In four charter counties — Sacramento, San Diego, San Francisco and Santa Clara — the county superintendent is appointed by the county board of education. In Los Angeles, the county board of supervisors appoints the county superintendent of schools and the county board of education.
  • There are seven single-district counties in California: Alpine, Amador, Del Norte, Mariposa, Plumas, San Francisco and Sierra.
Major duties of county boards of education
  • Approving COE Local Control and Accountability Plans
  • Adopting and monitoring COE budgets
  • Setting the salary of the county superintendent
  • Appellate body for student expulsions and interdistrict transfers
  • Taking action on charter school petitions and appeals
  • Providing community leadership on educational issues and advocating on behalf of students and public education at the local, state and federal levels
Programs and services generally overseen by county boards of education
  • Special education services
  • Foster youth services
  • Adopting courses of study for COE programs including juvenile court schools, community schools, and Regional Occupational Centers and Programs, which provide high school students aged 16 and older with career and technical education
  • Direct services to school districts
  • Fiscal oversight of school districts
To learn more about CCBE and county boards, visit theccbe.org
Major duties of county boards of education
  • Approving COE Local Control and Accountability Plans
  • Adopting and monitoring COE budgets
  • Setting the salary of the county superintendent
  • Appellate body for student expulsions and interdistrict transfers
  • Taking action on charter school petitions and appeals
  • Providing community leadership on educational issues and advocating on behalf of students and public education at the local, state and federal levels
Programs and services generally overseen by county boards of education
  • Special education services
  • Foster youth services
  • Adopting courses of study for COE programs including juvenile court schools, community schools, and Regional Occupational Centers and Programs, which provide high school students aged 16 and older with career and technical education
  • Direct services to school districts
  • Fiscal oversight of school districts
To learn more about CCBE and county boards, visit theccbe.org
in the community
CSBA CEO & Executive Director goes back to school as “Principal for a Day”
On March 2, West Sacramento’s Washington Unified School District held its annual “Principal for a Day” program, inviting CSBA CEO & Executive Director Vernon M. Billy to join the day’s activities. He had the pleasure to serve as a “principal” for Westfield Village Elementary School, a K-6 school attended by approximately 450 students. Almost all students are from low-income households and half are English learners.
“Being ‘principal for a day’ was a great way to see how the Westfield faculty and staff are connecting with the families they serve, are meeting their Local Control and Accountability Plan goals and are truly making a difference in their students’ lives,” said Billy.

Alongside Principal Roxanna Villasenor, Assistant Principal Jaime Avelar and Washington USD Superintendent Linda C. Luna, Billy toured the school, engaged with students and parents and learned how the elementary school is meeting its LCAP goals.

awards

California Schools wins CalSPRA awards
Three articles from CSBA’s magazine, California Schools, have been honored with 2017 Excellence in Communications, Feature Writing awards from the California School Public Relations Association.
CalSPRA members represent school districts and county offices of all sizes, ranging from the largest urban districts to those located in remote areas serving one or two schools, as well as other professionals in the field of education.
The winning articles were:
“Breaking the Silence” (Summer 2016), by Troy Flint, explored the unique challenges faced by students with incarcerated parents and shared information about a growing coalition of individuals and groups working to support and give a greater voice to this student population.

“As Charter Schools Grow, New Challenges Emerge” (Winter 2016), by Manuel Buenrostro, examined the expansion of charter schools in California since the passage of the Charter Schools Act in 1992 and the challenges for effective oversight amidst the many competing priorities facing public school districts and their school boards.

“Special and Equal” (Spring 2017), by Troy Flint, delved into the current state of special education in California and laid out an inclusive vision for educating students with disabilities.

Read these articles and more at www.csba.org/newsroom/
CASchoolsMagazine
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Read these articles and more at www.csba.org/newsroom/
CASchoolsMagazine
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policy
Preventing sexual harassment of employees
Incidents and allegations of sexual harassment are coming to light at unprecedented rates across the country in a variety of professions. Employers in every industry, including education, have an obligation under the law to take “all reasonable steps” necessary to prevent the occurrence of discrimination and harassment (Government Code 12940).
To this end, the California Department of Fair Employment and Housing and the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission — the state and federal agencies responsible for investigating complaints of sexual harassment — have issued guidance emphasizing that clear anti-harassment policies and regular staff training are essential.

In order to help school districts and county offices of education comply with the law and fulfill their obligations to their staff and community, CSBA updated its sample board policy and administrative regulation 4119.11/4219.11/4319.11 – Sexual Harassment in March 2018. The revised policy strengthens the district’s prohibition against sexual harassment, including harassment based on the victim’s gender, gender identity, gender expression or sexual orientation. The samples also reflect Senate Bill 396, which requires districts to post a DFEH poster on transgender rights in a prominent location, and if the district has 50 or more employees, to provide training to supervisors pertaining to harassment based on gender identity, gender expression and sexual orientation. Sample complaint procedures are provided in BP/AR 4030 – Nondiscrimination in Employment.

summer meals
Local educational agencies encouraged to sponsor meals for children during summer break
June 1 is the deadline for a range of institutions to apply to be summer meal providers. The need is critical, with many low-income students lacking access to fresh, healthy meals when school is out during the summer months.
Ensuring access to healthy school meals is seen as vital to reducing the achievement gap, boosting daily attendance and cutting down on childhood health issues such as obesity. Researchers have found that poor nutrition can negatively affect student well-being and impact academic performance. Studies also show that undernourishment has been linked to poor standardized test scores, low attendance and increased behavioral issues.
UpcomingEvents info: 800-266-3382
Register for any of these events at www.csba.org/TrainingAndEvents.
April 16, 2018 | San Jose
2018 CSBA Training for Executive Assistants
April 21, 2018 | El Centro
MIG Course 5
April 24, 2018 | Sacramento
2018 CSBA Training for Executive Assistants
April 24, 2018 | Sacramento
2018 The Brown Act
July 13-14, 2018 | San Francisco
Leadership Institute
Thanks for reading our April 2018 newsletter!